US4955662A - Vehicle body structure reinforced by cowl member - Google Patents
Vehicle body structure reinforced by cowl member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4955662A US4955662A US07/244,396 US24439688A US4955662A US 4955662 A US4955662 A US 4955662A US 24439688 A US24439688 A US 24439688A US 4955662 A US4955662 A US 4955662A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle body
- strut towers
- cowl member
- body structure
- vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004083 survival effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
- B62D25/081—Cowls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicle body structure and more particularly to a vehicle body front structure including a cowl member.
- JP-UM No. 58-6666 discloses a vehicle body front structure which includes a cowl member transversely extending between right and left front pillars and secured thereto in order to provide increased vehicle body rigidity.
- the engine compartment is defined by two longitudinally extending parallel hood side panels having front side members that act as vehicle longitudinal structural members which are secured to provide an increased bending rigidity of vehicle body.
- the hood side panels are curved inwardly to define tire housings.
- Box-shaped strut towers are joined therewith. Connected to top ends of the strut towers are struts of front suspension units, respectively.
- the strut towers tend to incline inward toward the center line of the engine compartment owing to load input from the front suspension units, thus requiring a transversely extending beam to minimize this tendency.
- the strut towers tend to incline inward and move rearward to interfere with some of the other component parts within the engine compartment, resulting in substantial deformation of an instrument or dash panel of the vehicle.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body front structure which effectively prevents inward inclination of strut towers for increased vehicle body structural strength.
- a vehicle body structure comprises a cowl member, serving as a transversely extending vehicle structural member, having lateral end portions secured to right and left strut towers at top ends of the strut towers to bridge the strut towers.
- the cowl member is of an upward open channel construction and is also secured to right and left front pillars and upper portions of hood side panels to which panel reinforcing members are secured for reinforcement.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of a vehicle body structure according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a section through the line II--II of FIG. 1;
- the vehicle body structure comprises a cowl member 1 serving as a vehicle body structural member for increased transverse rigidity of vehicle body.
- This cowl member 1 is a channel member open upward and having a bottom wall 1b, a rear wall 1c, and a rear flange 1d, and thus may be called as an open cowl member.
- This cowl member 1 extends between right and left strut towers 8R and 8L, and has lateral end portions thereof secured to the right and left strut towers 8R and 8L on their upper ends.
- the cowl member 1 has an attachment flange 1a attached to lateral ends of the bottom wall 1b.
- the attachment flange 1a extends in opposed relationship with the inside of a right front pillar 3 and the inside of the hood side panel 4, only one being shown and designated by the reference numeral 4.
- the flanges 1a are secured to the hood side panels, including the hood side panel 4 shown in FIG. 1.
- the hood side panels 4 define side walls of the engine compartment.
- a left front pillar similar in structure and mounting to the right front pillar 3 is not shown.
- each of the hood side panels 4 Secured to the upper portion of the outside of each of the hood side panels 4 is a panel reinforcing member 5 for the hood side panel 4. This reinforcing member 5 joins with the front pillar 3. Secured to the lower portion of the inside of the hood side panel 4 is a front side member 6 which serves as a vehicle structural member for providing longitudinal structural rigidity of the vehicle body.
- Each of the hood side panels 4 defines an inwardly projected front wheel housing 7.
- the above-mentioned strut tower 8R joins with the front wheel housing 7.
- a strut of a front suspension unit is connected in the conventional manner. Since, according to this embodiment, the cowl member 1 is an open cowl member, the work of connecting the cowl member 1 to the tops of the strut towers 8R and 8L can be automatically carried out by robots.
- the strut towers 8R and 8L receive and support vehicle weight and input from the road surface via the front suspension units.
- the load imposed on the strut towers 8R and 8L is borne not only by the cowl member 1, but also by the right and left front pillar's as stated above, only the right front pillar is shown and designated by the reference numeral 3.
- the load is also borne by the upper portions of the hood side panels 4 where they are reinforced by the panel reinforcing members 5, since the cowl member 1 is secured to the front pillars 3 and also to the upper portions of the hood side panels 4.
- the right and left hood side panels tend to deform toward the center line of the engine compartment and the strut towers 8R and 8L tend to incline toward the center line of the engine compartment and move rearward.
- the cowl member 1 bridges the right and left strut towers 8R and 8L and acts as a reinforcing member, the inward inclination of the strut towers 8R and 8L and the rearward movement thereof are effectively restrained, thus securing a survival zone within a passenger compartment of the vehicle by preventing the projection of the strut towers 8R and 8L into the passenger compartment.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP62-142694[U] | 1987-09-18 | ||
JP1987142694U JPS6447484U (US07909887-20110322-C00021.png) | 1987-09-18 | 1987-09-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4955662A true US4955662A (en) | 1990-09-11 |
Family
ID=15321364
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/244,396 Expired - Fee Related US4955662A (en) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-09-15 | Vehicle body structure reinforced by cowl member |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4955662A (US07909887-20110322-C00021.png) |
JP (1) | JPS6447484U (US07909887-20110322-C00021.png) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6139093A (en) * | 1999-06-10 | 2000-10-31 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Front end-to-body side joint for automotive vehicle |
US20050067858A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-03-31 | Jin-Kwan Suh | Upper mounting part structure of front strut assembly |
DE102004049034A1 (de) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-04-20 | Audi Ag | Wasserkasten für einen Personenkraftwagen |
US20080185875A1 (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-07 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Front-End Structure of a Motor Vehicle |
DE102007017168A1 (de) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-16 | GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit | Servicepanel für ein Kraftfahrzeug |
EP2014540A1 (fr) * | 2007-07-11 | 2009-01-14 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA | Structure d'une partie avant de la caisse d'un véhicule automobile |
CN102145714A (zh) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-10 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | 副车架、前围板模块和仪表板总成模块、车身结构及车身 |
US9371093B1 (en) | 2014-12-03 | 2016-06-21 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Vehicles having upper side member reinforcement portions |
DE102005054960B4 (de) * | 2005-11-17 | 2017-07-20 | Audi Ag | Motorraumabdeckungsbauteil für eine Kraftfahrzeug-Karosserie und Rohbaustruktur einer Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5872961B2 (ja) * | 2012-05-21 | 2016-03-01 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | 自動車の車体前部構造 |
JP5872962B2 (ja) * | 2012-05-21 | 2016-03-01 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | 自動車の車体前部構造 |
JP6299486B2 (ja) * | 2013-07-08 | 2018-03-28 | スズキ株式会社 | 車体前部構造 |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3086606A (en) * | 1960-05-14 | 1963-04-23 | Ford Motor Co | Motor vehicle front end structure |
US3188132A (en) * | 1964-07-16 | 1965-06-08 | Ford Motor Co | Motor vehicle front end structure |
US3596978A (en) * | 1969-07-16 | 1971-08-03 | Budd Co | Combined a-post, cowl and wheelhouse structure |
FR2494204A1 (fr) * | 1980-11-20 | 1982-05-21 | Peugeot | Structure avant de vehicule automobile |
JPS586666A (ja) * | 1981-07-03 | 1983-01-14 | Dainippon Screen Mfg Co Ltd | 光ビ−ム伝送装置 |
US4440435A (en) * | 1980-11-24 | 1984-04-03 | Saab-Scania Aktiebolag | Motor vehicle front section |
US4542934A (en) * | 1982-03-08 | 1985-09-24 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front body construction for motor vehicle |
US4717198A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1988-01-05 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front structure of vehicle body |
US4840423A (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1989-06-20 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front body structure of a motorcar |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS61253267A (ja) * | 1985-04-30 | 1986-11-11 | Mazda Motor Corp | 自動車の前部車体構造 |
-
1987
- 1987-09-18 JP JP1987142694U patent/JPS6447484U/ja active Pending
-
1988
- 1988-09-15 US US07/244,396 patent/US4955662A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3086606A (en) * | 1960-05-14 | 1963-04-23 | Ford Motor Co | Motor vehicle front end structure |
US3188132A (en) * | 1964-07-16 | 1965-06-08 | Ford Motor Co | Motor vehicle front end structure |
US3596978A (en) * | 1969-07-16 | 1971-08-03 | Budd Co | Combined a-post, cowl and wheelhouse structure |
FR2494204A1 (fr) * | 1980-11-20 | 1982-05-21 | Peugeot | Structure avant de vehicule automobile |
US4440435A (en) * | 1980-11-24 | 1984-04-03 | Saab-Scania Aktiebolag | Motor vehicle front section |
JPS586666A (ja) * | 1981-07-03 | 1983-01-14 | Dainippon Screen Mfg Co Ltd | 光ビ−ム伝送装置 |
US4542934A (en) * | 1982-03-08 | 1985-09-24 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front body construction for motor vehicle |
US4717198A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1988-01-05 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front structure of vehicle body |
US4840423A (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1989-06-20 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Front body structure of a motorcar |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6139093A (en) * | 1999-06-10 | 2000-10-31 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Front end-to-body side joint for automotive vehicle |
US20050067858A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-03-31 | Jin-Kwan Suh | Upper mounting part structure of front strut assembly |
US6921126B2 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-07-26 | Hyundai Motor Company | Upper mounting part structure of front strut assembly |
DE102004049034A1 (de) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-04-20 | Audi Ag | Wasserkasten für einen Personenkraftwagen |
DE102004049034B4 (de) * | 2004-10-08 | 2014-05-22 | Audi Ag | Wasserkasten für einen Personenkraftwagen |
DE102005054960B4 (de) * | 2005-11-17 | 2017-07-20 | Audi Ag | Motorraumabdeckungsbauteil für eine Kraftfahrzeug-Karosserie und Rohbaustruktur einer Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie |
US20080185875A1 (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-07 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Front-End Structure of a Motor Vehicle |
EP1955931A3 (de) * | 2007-02-07 | 2009-08-12 | Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Vordewagenstruktur eines Kraftfahrzeuges |
CN101239627B (zh) * | 2007-02-07 | 2012-09-05 | F.波尔希名誉工学博士公司 | 汽车的前厢结构 |
US8002334B2 (en) | 2007-04-12 | 2011-08-23 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Service panel for a motor vehicle |
DE102007017168A1 (de) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-16 | GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit | Servicepanel für ein Kraftfahrzeug |
US20080252103A1 (en) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-16 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Service panel for a motor vehicle |
FR2918630A1 (fr) * | 2007-07-11 | 2009-01-16 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Structure d'une partie avant de la caisse d'un vehicule automobile. |
EP2014540A1 (fr) * | 2007-07-11 | 2009-01-14 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA | Structure d'une partie avant de la caisse d'un véhicule automobile |
DE102010007228A1 (de) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC, ( n. d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware ), Mich. | Aggregatträger für die Karosserie eines Kraftfahrzeuges, Stirnwandmodul mit Aggregatträger, Cockpitmodul für eine Fahrzeugkarosserie, Karosseriestruktur und endmontierte Karosserie |
US20110193332A1 (en) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Unit support for the body of a motor vehicle, bulkhead module with unit support, cockpit module for a vehicle body, body structure, and finally assembled body |
CN102145714A (zh) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-10 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | 副车架、前围板模块和仪表板总成模块、车身结构及车身 |
US9371093B1 (en) | 2014-12-03 | 2016-06-21 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Vehicles having upper side member reinforcement portions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS6447484U (US07909887-20110322-C00021.png) | 1989-03-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NO. 2, TAKARA-CHO, KANAGAW Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:KUDO, MICHIO;REEL/FRAME:004954/0979 Effective date: 19881104 Owner name: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NO. 2, TAKARA-CHO, KANAGAW Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KUDO, MICHIO;REEL/FRAME:004954/0979 Effective date: 19881104 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19980911 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |